The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations to expand small game hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

68A-15.062: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations to expand small game hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments would revise specific area regulations to expand small game hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:

 

Big Bend WMA, Hickory Mound Unit – expand small game season by 56 days.

Big Bend WMA, Jena Unit – expand small game season by 56 days.

Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit – expand small game season by 54 days.

Big Bend WMA, Spring Creek Unit – expand small game season by 49 days.

Big Bend WMA, Tide Swamp Unit – expand small game season by 58 days.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313 Florida Statutes.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting July 10-11, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Orange County Convention Center, West Building - Room WF3, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: the ADA Coordinator, at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) through (5) No change.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – November 11 January 1 through March 4 February 25.

5. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – November 13 January 1 through March 4.

5. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Small game – November 13 January 1 through March 4 February 25.

3. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – November 13 January 1 through March 4 February 25.

5. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – November 13 December 16 through March 4 February 11.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) through (40) No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2017.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07, 7-5-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 10-9-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 8-26-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-1-17.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED.  IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 19, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 8, 2016